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How do I add a client to Online Services for Agents?

The process to add a client is detailed in the onboarding course here 👉  Tax Agent Program Onboarding

The agent nomination process (applicable for non-individuals) is outlined in the Client Linking course here 👉 Client Linking

Step by step instructions: 

For both individuals and non-individuals, start here: 

  • Log in to Online Services for Agents at using your myGovID credentials.
  • Select My Practice from the top menu, then choose Add client — or use the Add client quick link on your home page.
  • At the Find a client screen, select your client type: Individual or Non-individual. Then follow the relevant pathway below.

For individuals (e.g. personal tax returns):

  1. Select TFN as your identifier and enter the client's TFN (Note: No prior client nomination is required for individuals, at the time of writing this article)
  2. Enter the client's date of birth, then select Search.
  3. Confirm the declaration: "I confirm I have a signed authority from this client to act on their behalf."
  4. Select Next, then at the Authorisation screen select Income tax (covers all accounts).
  5. Review and confirm client details, set communication preferences, and select Submit.

For non-individuals (companies, trusts, partnerships etc.):

  1. Client must first complete an agent nomination in their Online Services for Business portal before you can add them (see the client linking course above for details)
  2. Provide your client with your Registered Agent Number (RAN) and the ATO's nomination instructions so they can search for and nominate you.
    1. The RAN for The Accounting Academy Services Pty Ltd is 26233096
  3. Once notified by the client, check the client nominations on-demand report in OSfA to confirm the nomination is complete.
  4. Navigate back to the Add Client page and select non-individual
  5. Select identifier — use TFN for income tax purposes (recommended), or ABN/EIN/WPN. If using TFN, also enter the entity name or ABN.
  6. Confirm the declaration, select Next, then choose the relevant authorisation — Income tax or specific accounts as required.
  7. Review and confirm client details, set communication preferences, and select Submit.

⚠️ Important notes:

Non-individuals using ABN for income tax: If you add a non-individual using their ABN only, the system will not show the income tax account option. Always use the TFN identifier when representing a non-individual for income tax. A nudge message will appear to remind you if you attempt this.

Nomination window: Once a non-individual client submits their nomination, you have 28 days to accept it in OSfA before it expires and the client must re-nominate. Ask clients to notify you promptly — the ATO does not send agents an automated notification.